behind the pictures: pieces on scenes in visual art

Friday 15 October 2010

MONIKER INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 14.-17.October 2010

Outside the venue a fashion conscious young women caught my eye. We met in Berlin; she is a painted stencil statement by German street artist XOOOOX.

The alternative art fair launched yesterday at hip East London, Shoreditch. It is the first time an international urban fine art festival takes place in London. The show focuses on street art, attracting visitors with live painting, solo projects and a chance to buy artists work such as Banksy, ESPO, and Heracut to name a few. Having seen a tape of Beautiful Losers and encountered some of the street artists work whilst in Berlin I was excited to visit Moniker.

The show is simultaneously on with renowned contemporary Frieze art fair. In the interview with Carmichael gallery organizer Frankie Shea told tasj newspaper: “Moniker will fill the gap and grow organically year after year and solidify its position in the art fair circuit.” In contrast to Frieze fair Moniker draws attention to detail. It uses an opportunity to introduce urban street art as part of current art scene. Street art, known as underground movement is always on the move, it also moves into contemporary art. Many artists are interchangeably painting on the streets and for the galleries. Nowadays a lot of street artists even work with advertisement companies and other creative brands.

In total eight recognised galleries are representing urban artists worldwide at the fair. The highlights of the three-day program are live street art painting, a wide range of urban fine artwork and evening documentary screening. A show that also the general public can relate to from everyday life, and afford. It is not a huge fair but it is promising and innovative. As the young tour guide with an American accent said: “Literally get up close and see the detail”. The pieces are remarkable, charged with dedication, passion and energy.

XOOOOX

HERACUT

Heracut work in based on partnership. Akut is the founder of photorealistic street art group Maclaim. Figurine feature is by the women, Hera. Together they combine a very realistic fine art touch in different use of surfaces.

MARCO PHO CRASSI

JABO MONK

At the fair I met the German artist JABO MONK. Having encountered his work before I was curious about the piece behind him. As a person he is sweet and humble. The piece, depicted on a strange wooden surface reflects a self-portrait of an innocent character. In contrast, the artist was not too sure what was going on in his head. His honest reply is still a mystery to me.

WK INTERACT

BOXI

Boxi is a British artist who has a similar style to Banksy. Yet his subtle fine art approach, wiping off street art, has its own uniqueness to it.

HUSH

BOOGIE

GREGOR GAIDA

ELBOW TOE - BRIAN ADAM DOUGLAS

Brian Adam Douglas aka Elbow Toe stands out with his interesting work of layers. Fine attention to detail unlocks the passion and dedication in his applied paste-up.

ERIK FOSS

BAST

KAWS

Slightly obsessed with cinematic characters Kaws reveals a distinctive selection for surface – a bleached denim cloth.

KAWS

BARRY MCGEE

RETNA

It would be hard to miss any work by an artist called RETNA. His collage type pieces are distinguished by individual and rare printmaking feature that undercover the photographs.